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Mike McDaniel targets efficiency for Justin Herbert's game

May 9, 2026, 2:00 AM20
(Update: May 9, 2026, 1:22 PM)
American football player and coach
American football player (born 1998)

Mike McDaniel targets efficiency for Justin Herbert's game

  • Mike McDaniel has begun working closely with Justin Herbert to enhance his performance as Chargers quarterback.
  • The coaching focus is on improving Herbert's efficiency with quick throws to unlock his full potential.
  • McDaniel's goal is to help Herbert master every aspect of the position and elevate his game to elite status.
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In the context of the NFL, Mike McDaniel, the newly appointed Chargers offensive coordinator, has recently been working intensively with quarterback Justin Herbert. This coaching interaction began during Phase 1 of the offseason training, indicating a proactive approach taken by McDaniel to enhance Herbert’s performance as he enters the seventh year of his professional football career. McDaniel's vision is clear; he aims to transform Herbert into an elite quarterback who can master every aspect of the position. This transformation is predicated on improving Herbert's efficiency, particularly with quick reads and throws, which McDaniel believes are critical to unlocking the full potential of the quarterback's skill set. McDaniel has specifically noted that Herbert's performance has not yet fully reflected his immense talent and capabilities, especially considering Herbert has achieved only a single postseason win in his career thus far. The focus is firmly placed on reworking Herbert's approach to quick throws. Last season, he completed 77.4 percent of passes when his time to throw was under 2.4 seconds; however, his average yards per attempt were significantly lower at 6.4 yards. This discrepancy indicates that although Herbert is quite accurate, he has room for growth in terms of making meaningful yardage gains within shorter time frames. Furthermore, McDaniel emphasized the need for Herbert to adopt a new mindset after six seasons in the NFL. He noted that typical elite performers are often resistant to change, but Herbert has embraced the challenge. McDaniel's method involves examining all of Herbert's past performance data, which includes an analysis of every pass he has thrown in his career. This comprehensive study helps form a foundation upon which Herbert can build new skills and improve his decision-making under pressure. In addition to the emphasis on throwing technique, McDaniel has also paid attention to the overall offensive scheme. He has articulated a distinct vision for the Chargers' offense, which contrasts with previous strategies. The changes have led to a notable turnover in the offensive line, as the team now shifts from a gap scheme to a zone scheme. This shift reflects McDaniel's commitment to creating a more dynamic offensive structure that can 'dictate the terms' of the game, thereby enhancing Herbert’s ability to perform under varying circumstances. McDaniel is optimistic that the combination of a new system along with Herbert’s willingness to adapt will cultivate a more potent Chargers offense in the upcoming season.

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